ECHL Wheeling Nailers

Nailers Win Another Overtime Thriller

November 20, 2009 - ECHL (ECHL)
Wheeling Nailers News Release


Wheeling, WV - Chris Davis made his Wheeling Nailers debut a memorable one. He raced up the left-wing in overtime after taking a perfect rink-wide pass from Casey Pierro-Zabotel then he beat Elmira goalie Michael-Lee Teslak for the game-winner as the Nailers won on the road 3-2. It was the first professional goal for the rookie Davis.

Davis had played three games with the Stockton Thunder this season before he was claimed off waivers by Greg Puhalski. And the UMass-Amherst product rewarded the Wheeling head coach for his decision to bring him to the Nailers by firing home the game-winner.

The Nailers have played four straight overtime games in a row and have won 3 of them. They are 3-0-1 in their last 4 games as they improved to 5-7-2 on the season including 4-3-0 on the road. The game was the first of a two game weekend series for the Nailers at Elmira, NY with the finale taking place Saturday night at 7:35.

It was a different look for the Nailers who had four players called up during the week to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton while three others were making their debuts with the team. Not in the line-up because they are up with the AHL team were T.J. Fox, Mitch Ganzak, Alex Grant and Joey Haddad. New Nailers included Cleve Kinley, Kyle Bushee, and the night's star Chris Davis.

Adam Berkhoel played his finest game between the pipes this season with 33 saves on 35 shots for the win.

Chris Capraro gave the Nailers the early lead 1:45 into the game taking a long stretch-pass from Slavomir Tomko and beating Teslak for his 1st goal as a Wheeling Nailer.

After Maxine Gratchev knotted the score at 1-1 early in the 2nd period Slavomir Tomko would shine again with a slapshot from center point on the power play to give the Nailers a 2-1 lead at 13:09 of the 2nd. The shot appeared to be tipped in front and Jordan Fox was there trying to re-direct the blas=A8=A6 but the goal was credited to first.

For the Slovakia native Tomko his nice performance with a goal and an assist came in the perfect location as he was enjoying a bit of a homecoming taking on the team he played for a season ago. The University of Vermont product had missed the first month of the season with the Nailers nursing an injury. This was just his 3rd game this year.

Berkhoel stood on his head through much of the 3rd period making several fine saves as Elmira peppered away on his with 14 shots in the first 11 minutes of the final stanza. After turning aside a Tyler Donati shot Berkhoel was caught spread-eagle on his belly as Gratchev circled back behind him and was able to score from a sharp angle to tie the game at 11:13 of the 3rd period.

Wheeling was able to withstand the rest of the Elmira attack through the 3rd and force the game into overtime.

The Jackals had a couple good opportunities in the overtime including a backdoor wide-open net for the their top goal scorer, Chance Fitzpatrick. But he missed wide on his bed for his 12th and as he was returning to the bench slamming his stick and the door in frustration Pierro-Zabotel was busy finding the perfect timing to fire in cross-ice right onto the tape of Davis to move in and around Teslak a little bit for the game-winner.

Elmira entered action as the 2nd highest scoring team in the league at 4.4 goals per game and had been flying through much of the 3rd as well as other parts of the game. But they were also missing the top scorer in the league, Justin Donati, who was sitting out with a stomach virus. His twin brother Tyler Donati had some chances though as did Fitzpatrick including the opportunity in overtime on the backdoor that probably should have ended it in favor of the home team.

Wheeling is 1-1 against Elmira this year. The Nailers are 3-1 in overtimes and are also 4-2 in games decided past regulation (including a 1-1 mark in shootouts).

Nailers Notes:

The Nailers are back home on Wednesday, November 25 hosting the Florida Everblades. It will be the first match up between the Nailers and the Everblades. It's a WesBanco Wednesday with 2 for 1 ticket offers courtesy of WesBanco. Show your WesBanco credit card, checkbook or a coupon from participating locations. Also $1 beer night through the first intermission and West Virginia University appreciation night as the Nailers will wear Mountaineers blue and gold. Come on out and spend part of Thanksgiving week with the Wheeling Nailers!

Saturday Nov 28 is Pink in the Rink at WesBanco Arena. The Nailers will wear jerseys with pink trim to support breast cancer awareness. It's also George Kellas Night honoring the late sportscaster featuring George Kellas bobble head for the first 2500 fans.

The Nailers Baby Blue and Black jerseys they wore on opening weekend will be up for auction this week. The online auction begins Monday on the Wheeling Nailers website and will run for a week. Click the "Jersey Auction" button on wheelingnailers.com or log onto ebay.com and search for "Wheeling Nailers jerseys" to make your bid!

Coming up we'll see the Nailers wear Blue and Gold West Virginia Mountaineer style jerseys on Wednesday, November 25 on West Virginia University Appreciation Night. And then the pink jerseys on Pink in the Rink to promote Breast Cancer Awareness on Saturday, November 28 and Sunday, November 29.

The Wheeling-Mountaineers Invitational Tournament is coming to Wheeling on Saturday, November 28th and Sunday, November 29th. West Virginia, Ohio University, West Chester and Duquesne are the participating teams. First round games at Noon and 3 on November 28th. Consolation and Championship games at 11 and 2 on Sunday.

Take advantage of the Nailers new $87 package for 7 Nailers home games. Call the Wheeling Nailers at (304) 234-GOAL, that's 234-4625. Or log on to wheelingnailers.com for more information.

Check out the Wheeling Nailers Statistics



ECHL Stories from November 20, 2009


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